The Great Britain Baseball coaching staff has announced a 28-man roster of players who will represent the country at the European Baseball Championship and Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held in Barcelona from September 6-17.
Head Coach Stephan RAPAGLIA indicated that approximately 20 players have already been given places in the final squad, and the remaining players are still being observed prior to the final 24-man roster that will be submitted later this month.
The players who have been named to the preliminary roster are Drew BIGNALL (RHP) Trinity University, USA; Stephen BROWN (IF) Stanford University, USA; Tim COLLINS (SS-2B) Peterborough Riverdogs, Canada; Brian ESSERY (RHP) St Catharines Metros, Canada; Mitch EVANS (C-DH) Calgary Vipers, Northern League, USA/Canada; Adam ROBERTS (2B-SS) Saarlouis Hornets, Germany; Chris FALLS (IF-OF) Tubingen Hawks, Germany; Geoff FREEBORN (LHP) Calgary Vipers, Northern League, USA/Canada; and Darren HEATH (OF).
Other players making the preliminary roster includes Michael HUNT (OF) Templiers Senart, France; Ed JEFFREY (C-OF) Associacao Academica de Coimbra Seccao de Basebol, Portugal; Sam JEW (RHP) Saarlouis Hornets, Germany; Roddi LIEBENBERG (RHP) Bracknell Blazers, England; Alex MALIHOUDIS (OF) Tubingen Hawks, Germany; Brad MARCELINO (OF) San Diego Mavericks, USA; Aeden MCQUEARY-ENNIS (RHP) Eugene Emeralds, Northwest League, USA; Mike NICKEAS (C) Port St Lucie Mets, Florida State League, USA; Craig PYROCK (3B-OF) Saarlouis Hornets, Germany; and Mike RENERY (RHP) St George Roadrunners, Golden League, USA.
The remaining candidates are James RUTHERFORD (OF); Alex SMITH (RHP); Stephen SPRAGG (RHP) Hague, Holland; Tom STACK-BABICH (OF-C) Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Gary TONGUE (RHP) Karlovac Kelteks, Croatia; Brant UST (IF) Tacoma Rainers, Pacific Coast League, USA; Paul WATERMAN (LHP) Mayville State University, Mayville, North Dakota, USA; Sam WHITEHEAD (RHP-IF) Tubingen Hawks, Germany; and Ian YOUNG (OF-1B) Templiers Senart, France